Iris claw intraocular lens: a viable option in monocular surgical aphakia

Managing surgical aphakia and posterior capsular rupture with suture-assisted intraocular lens implantation

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe a novel technique for implanting an intraocular lens (IOL) in the sulcus using a 10-0 nylon suture in cases of intraoperative posterior capsular rupture (PCR) with inadequate capsular support, anterior capsular extension during continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis extending to the posterior capsule, or posttraumatic cataract.

METHODS

The study included 52 patients who underwent surgery at our hospital, during which an IOL was implanted with the assistance of a 10-0 nylon suture. All patients completed a 1-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

In 48 of the 52 patients, the IOL remained stable. However, in two patients, the IOL dropped into the vitreous cavity approximately 1-month postsurgery. These two individuals required IOL explantation, pars plana vitrectomy, and secondary IOL (SFIOL) implantation.

CONCLUSION

Implanting an IOL in cases involving intraoperative PCR with inadequate capsular support, anterior capsular extension to the posterior capsule during continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis, or posttraumatic cataract can be challenging. The technique of IOL implantation with the assistance of a 10-0 nylon suture, as described in this study, offers a straightforward and safe approach. In addition, it can help alleviate the financial and psychological trauma associated with a second surgery for both the patient and the surgeon.

Surgical outcomes and complications of sutureless needle-guided intrascleral intraocular lens fixation combined with vitrectomy

Purpose:

To analyze the surgical outcomes and complications of sutureless needle-guided intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (Yamane technique) combined with pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods:

Retrospective study of 47 eyes of 46 patients that underwent scleral fixation of IOL by the Yamane technique combined with 3-port pars plana vitrectomy. Demographic data, primary indications for surgery, history of trauma, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), duration of follow-up, and complications were analyzed.

Results:

Mean preoperative BCVA was 0.79 logMAR, which improved to 0.39 logMAR at mean 4.21 months (SD: 4.87 D) follow-up. Mean spherical equivalent pre and postoperative was + 7.64 D (SD: 7.74 D) and − 0.47 D (SD: 2.26 D), respectively. Early postoperative complications included hypotony with cyclodialysis cleft (n = 1; 2%), mild vitreous hemorrhage (n = 2; 4%), raised IOP (n = 2; 4%), and transient corneal edema (n = 2; 4%). Late complications included iris optic capture (n = 1; 2%), retinal detachment (n = 1; 2%), cystoid macular edema (CME; n = 2; 4%), IOL decentration (n = 1; 2%), and decentration and tilting of IOL (n = 1; 2%). Management of complications included laser treatment to cyclodialysis cleft, observation for vitreous hemorrhage, topical and oral IOP lowering agents for raised IOP. CME was managed with topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One eye was subjected IOL refixation. The mean number of surgeries per eye was 1.04.

Conclusion:

Combining needle-guided intrascleral IOL implantation with vitrectomy allows management of other posterior segment complications in the same sitting while obviating the need for the second surgery. It provides satisfactory outcomes that are comparable to published studies. However, a longer follow-up will allow a better understanding of the potential advantages of this approach.

Retropupillary Iris-Claw Intraocular Lenses: A Literature Review

Retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lenses (ICIOLs) have been increasingly chosen by surgeons nowadays as a primary or secondary procedure of IOL implantation in eyes with insufficient capsular or zonular support. They have gained popularity due to their simple fast technique, favourable functional outcomes, and safety. The transition in the ICIOL fixation from prepupillary to a more biologically appropriate retropupillary position and change in the optic design from biconvex to convex-concave have provided better visual outcomes and improved safety. A peer-reviewed literature search was conducted in Medline (PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane Library using the keywords "retropupillary iris claw" and "iris claw". The search yielded 310 articles that were screened. Forty-three articles on retropupillary ICIOLs were finally found to be relevant and reviewed in full-text versions. The functional outcomes following retropupillary implantation of ICIOLs have been acceptable in eyes with no ocular co-morbidities otherwise. However, the indications for surgery may affect the outcomes. The major postoperative complications directly associated with ICIOLs include pupil ovalization and redislocation. Nevertheless, the rate of disenclavation depends on the experience and skill of the surgeon. This review is based on a literature review, and it focuses on the preoperative evaluation, surgical technique, postoperative outcomes, and associated complications. Prospective randomized trials with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed for comparison with other techniques of IOL fixation and confirmation of long-term safety profile.

Intraocular lens implantation in the absence of capsular support: scleral-fixated vs retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lenses

Cataract surgery via phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) placement in the capsular bag is the gold standard in the presence of adequate capsular support. However, when capsule and/or zonular fibers are weak or absent, alternate fixation strategies are required. Common alternative options include retropupillary iris-claw IOLs (RP-IC IOLs) and scleral-fixated IOLs (SF IOLs). In the present review of 87 articles with 2174 eyes implanted with RP-IC IOLs and 2980 eyes with SF IOLs, we discuss the published literature with respect to safety and efficacy. Although the studies reporting outcomes of these IOLs have been performed in patients with different concomitant conditions, visual and refractive outcomes were found to be comparable between RP-IC IOLs and SF IOLs. RP-IC IOL implantation seemed to provide equivalent or a potentially lower rate of complications than SF IOL implantation. Data from the literature also suggest that the surgical technique of RP-IC IOL implantation is relatively simpler with correspondingly shorter surgical times.

Long-term surgical outcomes of primary retropupillary iris claw intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of intraocular lens dislocation

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of primary retropupillary iris claw intraocular lens (R-IOL) implantation in patients with complete intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation. In this single-center retrospective case series, we reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent R-IOL implantation surgery with pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of IOL dislocation between September 2014 and July 2019. The primary outcome was change in visual acuity (VA) up to 24 months postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive errors, and endothelial cell count (ECC) over the same period. Data of 103 eyes (98 patients) were analyzed. The mean uncorrected VA was significantly improved at one month postoperatively (− 0.69 logMAR, P < 0.001), compared to the preoperative value. IOP (− 2.3 mmHg, P = 0.008) and ECC (− 333.4 cells/mm², P = 0.027) significantly decreased one month post-surgery and remained stable thereafter. Postoperative mean spherical equivalents were similar to the prediction error throughout the follow-up period. IOP elevation (n = 8, 7.8%), cystoid macular edema (n = 4, 3.9%), and dislocation of the R-IOL (n = 10, 9.7%) were managed successfully. Overall, primary R-IOL implantation with pars plana vitrectomy is effective and safe for correcting IOL dislocation due to various causes.

Intraocular lens-sling technique: A safe approach for lens implantation in complicated cataract surgery and secondary intraocular lens implantation

Among 20 million cataract surgeries being performed worldwide every year, approximately 5% are being complicated by posterior capsule rent or zonular dialysis. Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in such cases with intraoperative complications is quite challenging. Our next course of action is to place the IOL in the ciliary sulcus, however, there is a risk of IOL drop into the vitreous in cases of inadequate support. We have described a novel idea of using a suture material through the dialling hole of a three-piece rigid IOL which can be used as a leash to reduce the risk of IOL drop during implantation in such cases. This technique could also be used during sutureless scleral fixated IOL and retro-pupillary iris claw lens implantation. We found that in 90 consecutive patients where this technique was used, there was no incidence of IOL drop or retinal detachment.

Comparative analysis of retropupillary iris claw versus scleral-fixated intraocular lens in the management of post-cataract aphakia

Purpose:

To compare the visual outcomes and complications between the eyes receiving retropupillary iris claw intraocular lens (IOL) and scleral-fixated IOL (SFIOL) for post-cataract aphakia.

Methods:

Medical records of consecutive patients who had iris claw IOL and SFIOL surgery from January 2010 to March 2015, with > 1 year of follow up were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical technique was based on individual surgeon preference. The best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), previous surgery, surgical technique, and complications were analyzed.

Results:

Retropupillary iris claw IOL was fixated in 48 eyes (46%) and SFIOL was performed in 56 eyes. Iris claw was performed more frequently at the time of primary cataract surgery (56%) compared to SFIOL (14%) (P < 0.001). At 1 month postoperative, BCDVA was significantly better in the SFIOL group [0.7 ± 0.5 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) in iris claw vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 logMAR in SFIOL, P < 0.001] but this difference did not persist at 1 year (0.4 ± 0.4 logMAR in iris claw vs. 0.3 ± 0.2 logMAR in SFIOL, P = 0.56). Eyes with iris claw IOL experienced significantly more postoperative iritis (17%), intraocular pressure spikes (10%), and ovalization of the pupil (16%).

Conclusion:

Retropupillary iris claw IOL fixation is as safe as SFIOL for visual rehabilitation of post-cataract aphakia. Visual rehabilitation following iris claw IOL might take longer than SFIOL. Ovalization of the pupil is the commonest adverse effect reported with this type of IOL design.

Retropupillary fixation of iris-claw lens in visual rehabilitation of aphakic eyes

CONTEXT

Surgical outcome of retropupillary fixation of iris claw lens.

AIMS

To evaluate the various indications, intra and post-operative complications, and visual outcome of retropupillary fixation of iris claw lens in aphakic eyes.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

The study design is a retrospective study at a tertiary eye care center.

METHODS

Review of medical records of 61 aphakic eyes of 61 patients, who were rehabilitated with retropupillary fixation of an iris claw lens, with a follow-up duration of at least 1 year.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Data analysis was performed using paired t-test and Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 1.66 ± 0.3 LogMAR and postoperative acuity at 1 year was 0.53 ± 0.5 LogMAR (P = 0.00001). Preoperative distant best-corrected visual acuity was 0.30 ± 0.48 LogMAR and postoperative acuity at 1 year was 0.27 ± 0.46 LogMAR (P = 0.07). Mean preoperative astigmatism was 1.43 ± 1.94 D and postoperatively was 1.85 ± 2.16 D (P = 0.0127). Mean endothelial cell count was 2353.52 ± 614 cells/mm2 preoperatively which decreased to 2200 ± 728 cells/mm2 at 1 year follow-up (P = 0.006). There was no significant difference in central macular thickness and intraocular pressure pre and post-surgery. Complications included ovalization of pupil in 9.83%, hypotony in 1.63%, toxic anterior segment syndrome in 1.63%, cystoid macular edema in 11.47%, epiretinal membrane in 3.27%, and iris atrophy in 6.55%.

CONCLUSION

Iris claw is a safe and an effective method of rehabilitating aphakic eyes.

The posterior iris-claw lens outcome study: 6-month follow-up

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional and anatomical outcomes of posterior iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) implant for correction of aphakia in eyes with inadequate capsular support.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective case series of 108 aphakic eyes with inadequate capsular support which underwent posterior iris-claw IOL with a 6-month follow-up period was conducted. The cases belonged to two clinical settings: elective secondary implantation and those with intraoperative posterior dislocation of cataractous lens or IOL. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, anterior chamber reaction, stability of IOL, endothelial cell count, intraocular pressure (IOP), and cystoid macular edema (CME).

Results:

The mean best-corrected visual acuity was LogMAR 0.25. None had chronic anterior chamber inflammation. The mean difference in central endothelial counts before surgery and 1 month after surgery was 104.21 cell/mm² (4.92%). There was no statistically significant difference in central endothelial cell count at 1 and 6 months (P = 0.91) and also in the central macular thickness at preoperative and after 6 months suggestive of CME (P = 0.078). Three eyes had raised IOP which were managed with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser peripheral iridotomy. There were no IOL dislocations or other adverse events in our series.

Conclusion:

Posterior chamber iris-claw lenses are a good option in eyes with inadequate posterior capsular support. Chronic inflammation, poor lens stability, or significant central endothelial cell loss was not observed during the 6-month follow-up period.

Comparison of iris-fixated foldable lens and scleral-fixated foldable lens implantation in eyes with insufficient capsular support

AIM

To compare the outcomes of vision using two different intraocular lens (IOL) replacement techniques, iris-fixated foldable intraocular lens (IF-IOL) and scleral-fixated foldable intraocular lens (SF-IOL) in patients with insufficient capsular support.

METHODS

Total 63 eyes (62 patients) with insufficient posterior capsule support underwent replacement of IF-IOL or SF-IOL between January 2008 and August 2011. Outcome measures included changes in visual acuity, slit lamp examination, refractive indices and corneal curvatures.

RESULTS

The mean improvement of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was greater in IF-IOL group compared to the SF-IOL group (0.43 D±0.19 D vs 0.35 D±0.18 D, P<0.05). Moreover, 12 (38.71%) eyes in IF-IOL group and 4 (12.50%) in SF-IOL group had a higher postoperative UCVA than preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) while 9 (29.03%) eyes in IF-IOL group and 18 (56.25%) in SF-IOL group had a lower postoperative UCVA than preoperative BCVA. The myopic mean manifest sphere and mean cylinder magnitude were lower in the IF-IOL group than that in the SF-IOL group (-0.47 D±0.58 D vs 0.50 D±0.43 D, P<0.01; 0.84 D±0.53 D vs 1.23 D±0.70 D, P<0.05). No difference of corneal astigmatism and surgically induced astigmatism was found between the two groups. In addition, fewer complications were observed in IF-IOL eyes.

CONCLUSION

IF-IOL implantation can give a significant improvement in vision with fewer complications than SF-IOL in patients with insufficient capsular support.

Long Term Clinical and Visual Outcomes of Retrofixated Iris Claw Lenses Implantation in Complicated Cases

Aims:

To evaluate the visual outcomes and complications after implantation of retrofixated iris claw (RFIC) lens in various challenging situations.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective, single centre, 8 year clinical audit.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of cases who underwent RFIC lens implantation alone (group 1) or in combination with vitreoretinal (VR), corneal or glaucoma procedures (group 2) was performed. The main outcomes evaluated were corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) and postoperative complications. The mean follow up was 13.09±6.8 (range 6-24) months.

Results:

The study involved 100 eyes of 83 patients with mean age of 51.1±25.4 years. Group 1 included 59 eyes and group 2 had 41 eyes. In group 1, the mean CDVA improved from 0.86±0.81 to 0.38±0.51 LogMAR (p<0.001) with 72.8% eyes having gain in lines (≥ 2 lines) of CDVA with safety index of 1.73. The mean CDVA in group 2 improved from 0.71±0.65 to 0.38±0.34 LogMAR (p=0.003) with 65.8% eyes having gain in lines (≥ 2 lines) of CDVA with a safety index of 1.54. Group 2 showed a higher complication rate of 36.59% compared to group 1 (20.34%). Significant complications noted were secondary glaucoma (8%), disenclavation of haptic (4%), subluxation of RFIC lens (1%).

Conclusion:

The visual outcome with RFIC lenses when combined with other intraocular procedures is mainly affected by the complexity of co-existing pathologies .The complications are more related to the combined procedures performed rather than RFIC lens implantation alone. This may still be acceptable when complication profile of other intraocular lenses is evaluated in similar challenging situations.

A knotless, one-haptic fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses: one-year results

AIM

To assess the results of a modified technique for scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes which had deficient of posterior capsular support.

METHODS

This retrospective study was comprised of ten patients with deficient posterior capsular support who underwent one-haptic fixation of posterior chamber IOLs, between February 2010 and October 2011. IOL as implanted with one haptic supported on the capsular remnant and the other haptic drawn into the sulcus by anchoring suture without a knot. All patients were evaluated for pre- and postoperative visual acuity, lens centration, intra-and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A knotless, one-haptic fixation of posterior chamber IOLs has successfully been performed on ten eyes. All cases had inadequate capsular support (i.e. a capsular tear ranged from 5 to 7 clock hours). The average age was 74.25±8.87y (SD). The average postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.51 logMAR. Complications included hyphema in one eye, a mild inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber in two eyes, and a transient rise in IOP in one eye. Neither IOL tilt nor dislocation was observed and there were no later complications.

CONCLUSION

In the presence of insufficient capsular support, a knotless, one-haptic fixation of posterior chamber IOLs is a safe and viable option which reduces the operation time, and minimizes postoperative suture-related complications.

Iris-fixated intraocular lenses for ametropia and aphakia

Implantation of intraocular lens with Iris-fixation is a safe, efficient and predictable surgical procedure, which empowers the refractive surgeon with singular capabilities. Among their advantages are the reversibility, preservation of accommodation and a broad spectrum of ametropic correction. This lens also appears to be a valid option, with a favorable complication rate, for the treatment of aphakic eyes without capsular support. This article is a review of iris-fixated intraocular lenses and considers their principal indications, complications, and outcomes.

Aphakia correction by injection of foldable intra ocular lens in the anterior chamber

We assessed the outcomes of the use of anterior chamber foldable lens for unilateral aphakia correction at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaounde. In this retrospective, non-comparative, consecutive case series study, we reviewed the records of patients who underwent an operation for aphakia correction by the means of injection of an angular supported foldable lens between January 2009 and December 2011 in the University Teaching Hospital Yaounde. Student's paired t-test was carried out to compare pre-operative and post-operative visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP). P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Twenty-one patients were included in the study; twelve were male (57.1%) and nine were female (42.9%). The mean age was 55.38 ± 17.67 years (range 9-75 years). The mean follow-up duration was 5.95 ± 3.14 months (range 2-12 months). The mean log-MAR visual acuity was 1.26 ± 0.46 pre-operatively and 0.78 ± 0.57 post-operatively (P = 0.003). The change in intraocular pressure was not statistically significant. Complications included intraocular hypertension (over 21 mmHg) in 3 patients (14.3%) and macular edema, pupillar ovalization, and retinal detachment in one patient each. The results indicate that injection of an angular support foldable lens in the anterior chamber is a useful technique for the correction of aphakia in eyes without capsular support. More extended follow-up, however, and a larger series of patients are needed to ascertain the effectiveness and safety of this procedure.